Victims live in fear of neighbour who assaulted them

The woman told police she was jogging around 10 p.m. when a man grabbed her from behind and tried to pull her pants down. The woman said she yelled at the man and ran after him for a number of blocks before abandoning the chase at Regent Avenue.

Two Transcona residents targeted by the same man in separate random attacks told court they live in fear knowing he continues to live in the same neighbourhood.

Grant Richter, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of simple assault and was sentenced Wednesday to seven months house arrest.

"I don't want to see you in my neighbourhood, but I know that you live (nearby)," said a 36-year-old woman Richter accosted as she went for a night-time jog along Pandora Avenue on July 9, 2013.

"You stole from me the ability to feel safe on the sidewalk beside my house," the woman told court. "I don't want to see you on my street and I definitely don't want to see you when I am running."

The woman told police she was jogging around 10 p.m. when a man grabbed her from behind and tried to pull her pants down. The woman said she yelled at the man and ran after him for a number of blocks before abandoning the chase at Regent Avenue.

Richter wasn't identified as a suspect until after a second victim, a 14-year-old girl, was assaulted Aug. 11 near Club Regent Casino. Court heard the victim was walking in an area behind the casino when Richter blocked her path and attempted to grab her by the waist and shoulder. The girl fell to the ground as Richter continued to grab at her. The girl kicked at Richter and he ran away.

Police tracked Richter down after security video showed him exiting a car parked near the casino. Police were able to identify the vehicle's licence plate number, identified Richter as the owner, and arrested him at his home.

Richter was released on a recognizance that included a condition he stay 200 metres away from his alleged victims. Richter was re-arrested Sept. 12 after he was spotted at a friend's garage a short distance from the young victim's home. He was arrested again three days later at the same location.

"I feel it is extremely unfair that he lives so close to where I live," the now 15-year-old victim wrote in a victim impact statement read out in court. "I feel I shouldn't have to see him on my street or anywhere near me."

Richter was originally charged with sexually assaulting the two victims but there was insufficient evidence to show he had a sexual intent when he committed the offences, said Crown attorney Kathleen Tokaruk, who recommended Richter be sentenced to 90 days in jail.

Defence lawyer Jon Pinx urged Judge Tim Killeen to impose a suspended sentence, arguing jail time was not justified for offences that amounted to "pushing and grabbing."

"Mr. Richter is only pleading guilty to common assault here and we shouldn't sentence Mr. Richter on what we may speculate could have happened," Pinx said.

Killeen said the offences warranted a jail sentence but Richter would have a better chance at rehabilitation if he served his sentence in the community.

Victims live in fear of neighbour who assaulted them

Two Transcona residents targeted by the same man in separate random attacks told court they live in fear knowing he continues to live in the same neighbourhood.

Grant Richter, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of simple assault and was sentenced Wednesday to seven months house arrest.

"I don't want to see you in my neighbourhood, but I know that you live (nearby)," said a 36-year-old woman Richter accosted as she went for a night-time jog along Pandora Avenue on July 9, 2013.

"You stole from me the ability to feel safe on the sidewalk beside my house," the woman told court. "I don't want to see you on my street and I definitely don't want to see you when I am running."

The woman told police she was jogging around 10 p.m. when a man grabbed her from behind and tried to pull her pants down. The woman said she yelled at the man and ran after him for a number of blocks before abandoning the chase at Regent Avenue.